Snap adapter for tool component

ABSTRACT

A snap adapter for a wire stripping tool has a hollow body with a tool end, a component end, and a button. The tool end is sized for insertion into the tool body and the component end is sized for receiving a component meant to strip a cable of a specified diameter. The button comprises a pin feature for attaching the received component. Inserting the component into the snap adapter forces the pin away from the snap adapter hollow body to allow for full insertion of the component into the tool body. A spring disposed between the hollow body and button pushes the pin feature upwards through the hollow body to hold the component inside the snap adapter once the component is fully inserted. Removing the component requires pushing down the button to extract the pin feature, which allows the component to be slideably removed from the tool body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a cable stripping tooladapter, and more specifically to a tool which enables quick attachmentto and removal from a common tool body multiple working components forstripping and/or cutting electrical, coaxial, fiber optic, and othertypes of cable.

2. Description of Related Art

Termination of a power or signal transmission cable involves strippingthe outer jacket and insulation from the conductor core. There are manydifferent combinations of primary and secondary cable sizes. Thiscreates a need for an installer to be able to prepare numerous cablesizes based on application needs, cable manufacturer, and regional coderequirements.

Some preparation tools utilize interchangeable components to allow thesame basic tool frame to work across a range of application needs.Specifically sized components are used for different cable diameterswithin the same tool frame. Every time a worker switches to a differentapplication, they must change the component in their tool. This hasproven to be a tedious and time consuming task, and typically requiresthe use of outside tools to remove screws and bolts that connect thecomponents to the tool frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it istherefore an object of the present invention to provide a tool whichenables quick attachment to and removal from a common tool body multipleworking components for stripping and/or cutting electrical, coaxial,fiber optic and other types of cable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adapterwith one end designed for attachment to a wire stripping tool body, andthe other end designed for the quick attachment and release of acomponent containing a blade for stripping a wire of a desired diameter.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a snap adapterthat allows for a method of tool component interchangeability that doesnot require the use of outside tools.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a snapadapter for a tool component that enables the use of a gloved hand toexecute proper tool component transposition.

Still other objects and advantages will in part be obvious and will inpart be apparent from the specification.

The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled inthe art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed to amethod for securing a component to a tool body. The method provides atool body, a tool component, and an adapter. The adapter has a hollowbody with a longitudinal axis, the hollow body having opposite ends. Oneend is sized for receiving a tool component, while the other is sizedfor insertion into a tool body. A slide member is between the adapterhollow body forward end and opposite rearward end. The slide member hasa button portion for receiving manual force to depress the slide member,a spring surface for receiving a spring, at least one bearing flat fortransmitting torque between the slide member and adapter body, and a pinfor securing the tool component into the adapter. A spring is insertedbetween the spring surface and the adapter forward end. The springtransmits sufficient force to move the pin into engagement with the toolcomponent after removal of the manual force. The method involvesinserting the adapter into the tool body. The tool component is theninserted into the adapter. The tool component is aligned inside thehollow body of the adapter until the slide member pin inserts into anindentation on the surface of the tool component, securing together thetool component and adapter.

In an embodiment, the method further includes removal of the toolcomponent from the adapter by exerting a manual force on the buttonportion of the slide member, retracting the pin from the indentation onthe tool component, and pulling the tool component away from the adapterforward end to disconnect the tool component from the adapter. The slidemember may encase the adapter hollow body. The method may still furtherprovide the component having a bore for receiving a cable end and ablade within the bore for stripping or cutting an outer jacket of thecable.

The present invention further provides an adapter for securing acomponent to a tool. An adapter has a hollow body with a longitudinalaxis, the hollow body having opposite ends. One end is sized forreceiving a tool component, and the other is sized for insertion into atool body. A slide member is disposed between the adapter ends and has abutton portion for receiving a manual force to depress the slide member,a spring surface for receiving a spring, at least one bearing flat fortransmitting torque between the slide member and adapter body, and a pinfor securing the tool component into the adapter. A spring is insertedbetween the spring surface and the adapter forward end, the springtransmitting sufficient force to move the pin into engagement with thetool component after removal of the manual force.

In an embodiment, the pin may be tapered to allow for activation of theslide member to move upon insertion of the tool component. The pin maybe activated to move by applying a manual force to the slide member. Theslide member may also encase the adapter body. A retaining member mayfurther hold the slide member in place on the adapter hollow body. Thisretaining member may substantially surround one of the forward end andopposite rearward end of the adapter hollow body.

The present invention may further provide a tool and adapter for quicklychanging a working component of the tool. A tool has a tool body, thetool body having opposite ends, with one end being sized for receiving aworking tool component. A working tool component has opposite ends, withone end being sized for insertion into the tool body. An adapter has ahollow body with a longitudinal axis, the hollow body having oppositeends. One end is sized for receiving the tool component, the other issized for insertion into the tool body. A slide member is disposedbetween the adapter ends and has a button portion for receiving a manualforce to depress the slide member, a spring surface for receiving aspring, at least one bearing flat for transmitting torque between theslide member and the adapter body, and a pin for securing the toolcomponent into the adapter. A spring is inserted between the springsurface and the adapter forward end, the spring transmitting sufficientforce to move the pin into engagement with the tool component afterremoval of the manual force.

In an embodiment, the other end of the tool body has a projection forinsertion into a drill. A slide member may encase the adapter body. Thepin may be tapered to allow for activation of the slide member to moveupon insertion of the tool component. The pin may further be activatedto move by applying a manual force to the slide member. A retainingmember may also hold the slide member in place on the adapter body.

The present invention may still further provide a method for using acomponent secured to a tool body to strip or cut a cable. The methodprovides a cable having an outer jacket encasing an inner core, a toolbody, a tool component comprising a blade, and an adapter. The tool bodyhas a forward end and an opposite rearward end, one of the forward endand opposite rearward end being sized for insertion of the adapter. Theadapter has a hollow body and a longitudinal axis, the hollow bodyhaving opposite ends, one end being sized for receiving a toolcomponent, the other being sized for insertion into a tool body. A slidemember is disposed between the adapter hollow body forward end andopposite rearward end. The slide member has a button portion forreceiving a manual force to depress the slide member, a spring surfacefor receiving a spring, at least one bearing flat for transmittingtorque between the slide member and the adapter body, and a pin forsecuring the tool component into the adapter. A spring is insertedbetween the spring surface and the adapter forward end, the springtransmitting sufficient force to move the pin into engagement with thetool component after removal of the manual force. The method includesinserting the adapter into the tool body, then inserting the toolcomponent into the adapter. The tool component is aligned inside thehollow body of the adapter until the slide member pin inserts into anindentation on the surface of the tool component, securing together thetool component and adapter. The cable is inserted into the toolcomponent, then the tool body is rotated so the tool component bladestrips or cuts the cable.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the other of the tool bodyforward end and opposite rearward end comprising a projection. The toolbody projection is inserted into a drill, and the drill is used tocreate the rotational force needed to spin the component and strip thecable outer jacket from the cable to expose the inner core. The toolcomponent may have a bore for receiving a cable end, the blade beingdisposed within the tool component bore, and the method may includeinserting the cable into the tool component bore. Furthermore, removalof the tool component from the adapter includes exerting a manual forceon the button portion of the slide member, retracting the pin from theindentation on the tool component, and pulling the tool component awayfrom the adapter forward end to disconnect the tool component from theadapter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elementscharacteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and arenot drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as toorganization and method of operation, may best be understood byreference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the snap adapter of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the snap adapter embodiment ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the snap adapter of FIG. 1 inthe closed position.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the snap adapter of FIG. 1 inthe closed position, along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the snap adapter of FIG. 1 inthe open position.

FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of the snap adapter of FIG. 1 inthe open position, along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the slide member incorporated inthe snap adapter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the snap adapter of FIG. 1 in use on anexemplary tool.

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the snap adapter and exemplarytool assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of the snap adapter of FIG. 1 inuse on another exemplary tool.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

In describing the embodiment(s) of the present invention, reference willbe made herein to FIGS. 1-10 of the drawings in which like numeralsrefer to like features of the invention.

A snap adapter 10 of the present invention is used to provide a moreefficient way of quickly changing a sized working component 50 to theend 44 of a wire stripping tool body 40. The snap adapter 10 comprisesan adapter body 12, with a component end 14 of the adapter body 12 beingsized for receiving and holding a working component 50, and an end 16 ofthe adapter body 12 sized for securing into the end 44 of wire strippingtool 40. The snap adapter 10 is configured to be compatible with severaldifferent tool body types, including but not limited to the Ripley 2×2Plus (FIGS. 8-9) and Ripley 4×4 Plus® (FIG. 10) for securing one or moredifferent components for stripping and/or cutting cables of differentsizes or types.

As shown in FIGS. 8-9, the 2×2 Plus tool comprises a cylindrical toolbody 40 with one female end 44 have a cylindrical opening sized forreceiving the cylindrical tool end 16 of the snap adapter 10. The otherend of the tool body 40 comprises a hexagonal-shaped node 60 projectingfrom its planar edge for insertion into a drill (not shown). This node60 allows for drill-powered rotation of the tool about its longitudinalaxis 70 when properly affixed to the drill, thus providing the propermotion needed for the attached component 50 to strip the outer jacket 82from the cable 80.

FIG. 10 shows the Ripley 4×4 Plus® tool embodiment of the tool body 40′using the snap adapter 10 of the present invention to secure a component50 for hand powered stripping of the outer jacket from a cable. The toolbody 40′ of this embodiment comes in a cross, or “X” shaped profile,with each planar edge being sized for receiving the tool end 16 of thesnap adapter 10. Adapter tool body end 16 is sized to be received withinany of the four end 44 openings in the tool body 44′. It is thuspossible to attach four different sized components 50 to this particulartool body 40′ at the same time. This tool in combination with the snapadapter 10 of the present invention especially is useful when theend-user is working with multiple sizes and types of cable (i.e.electrical, coaxial, Cat 5e, Cat 6, fiber optic, and the like). Iteliminates the need for the end user to keep replacing the componentsattached to the tool body 40′, therefore resulting in faster and moreefficient results in cable-stripping tasks.

The snap adapter 10 attaches to the end 44 of the tool body 40/40′ wherecylindrical end 56 of a working component 50 would otherwise normallyassemble. Component end 56 as shown has indentation or opening 57 whichwould normally receive a set screw 42 extending through an opening inthe side of tool body end 44 to secure the component in place. As shownin FIGS. 8-10, the exemplary component 50 has a cylindrical body with ahollowed center, bore, or opening 52 for receiving a cable 80 end (FIG.8). A portion of the planar surface of the component 50 cylindrical bodyis open into the hollowed center 52, and a blade 54 for stripping theouter jacket 82 off of a wire is affixed to the inside walls of thehollowed center 52 in a downward sloping angle. Insertion of a wire 80end into the hollowed center 52 and rotation of the component 50 willcreate enough force for the blade 54 to cut, pierce and strip the cablejacket 82, exposing the wire or other core 84. A full 360° rotation ofthe component 50 will cut and remove the entirety of the cable jacketinserted into the component's 50 hollowed center 52, while the actualcable core 84 remains unscathed. Any other type of working component forcutting or stripping power- or data-carrying cable may be used in thepresent invention.

The snap adapter 10 of the present invention attaches at cylindrical end16 to the opening in end 44 of the tool body 40/40′ where a workingcomponent 50 would otherwise normally assemble, and end 16 is configuredin a manner similar to component end 56. An indentation or opening 17 inend 16 receives set screw 42 in tool body end 44 to secure the adapterin place. At the opposite end 14 snap adapter 10 is configured to matewith the cylindrical end 56 of component 50, and the opening in end 14is sized in a manner similar to the opening at end 44 of the tool body.Adapter 10 has a hollowed body with an inner diameter at end 14 wherethe end 56 of component 50 can be inserted in a tight-sliding fit, andthen secured, as will be described further below. As shown in anexemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1-2, the snap adapter 10 is comprised of agenerally cylindrical adapter body 12 with a component end 14 and a toolend 16, a slide member 20, a compression spring 22, and a retainingmember 30. Adapter body 10 further includes a pin opening 19 on onesurface of the opening in end 14 and on the exterior surface a springrelief opening 13 opposite the pin opening 19.

The slide member 20 is, in the embodiment shown, disposed betweenadapter ends 14 and 16 and moves with respect to adapter 10 in adirection normal to axis 70, and extends around and encompasses the body12 of adapter 10. The retaining member 30 holds the slide member 20 inplace on the adapter body 12 in a tight-sliding fit adjacent end 16,holding the slide member 20 between the component end 14 and theretaining member 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Its shape is generally round andring-like with interior and exterior features configured for optimalfunctional and ergonomic operation. These features include pin 25,bearing flats 24, button 21, and a spring surface 23 as shown in FIG. 7.

The pin feature 25 extends within and protrudes through opening 19 inbody 12 into the interior circumference of the slide member 20, on theopposite side of button portion 21. Force exerted on the button portion21 allows for manual operation and movement of the pin 25. The pin 25has a tapered entry point 25 a in the form of a forward-facing ramp toallow components 50 to be inserted into the adapter 10 without the needto use the button 20. The ramp 25 a will contact the leading edge ofcomponent end 56 and the pin 25 will be pushed and activated to movedownward upon the continued insertion of the component 50. The angle oframp 25 a will not cause a jam or prevent a component 50 from beingquickly assembled into the adapter 10. Upon full insertion of componentend 56 into the opening in adapter end 14, pin 25 may slide upward intoopening 57 in component end 56 to secure the component in place.

A compression spring flat surface 23 is disposed in a relief openingdirectly opposite the pin 25 on the interior of the slide member 20, andis aligned with spring relief opening 13 in adapter body 12. Acompression spring 22 is disposed between surface 13 and opening 23 tourge button portion 20 away from adapter body 12 and pin 25 throughopening 19 into the interior of the adapter body. Spring 22 is disposeddirectly beneath the button portion 21 to allow the user a tactical feelof the compression of the spring 22 and to align the force created bythe spring 22 with the button portion 20 and pin 25. Once component endopening 57 is aligned with pin 25, the force of spring 22 causes the pin25 to move into the opening.

Parallel bearing flats 24 along opposite sides of the inner surface ofthe slide member 20 slide along in contact with corresponding parallelbearing flats 18 on either side of the outer surface of adapter body 12.They are sufficiently long and broad to transmit torque from the adapter10 to the pin feature 25, and provide the bearing surfaces for operationof the adapter 10.

The button portion 21 is the only part of the adapter 10 that the userneeds to touch to remove the component 50. Its location approximately180° opposed from the pin 25 enables the operator to exert force to movepin 25 along the line of movement of both button 20 and pin 25. Buttonportion 21 protrudes outside the diameter of the adapter 10 to allow foreasy location and operation with a gloved hand, and may have agrooved/textured surface for a no-slip grip, which simultaneously makesit easier for an end user to locate.

The snap adapter 10 normally rests in the closed position as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. When the component 50 is pressed into the tool body 40 bymovement along axis 70, the leading edge of the end 56 of component 50contacts a beveled pin 25 protruding from the slide member 20. Thepushing force exerted onto the pin 25 which contacts the pin's slopedsurface 25 a naturally forces the slide member 20 into the open position(FIGS. 5-6). The end user can also physically push the button portion 21of the slide member 20 to set the snap adapter 10 into the open positionwhen they want to insert a component 50. To remove the component 50, thebutton portion 21 is depressed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to remove pin25 from component opening 57, and the component may be slid outward fromadapter end 14.

When the slide member 20 is depressed in the open position, whereinbutton portion 21 is urged downward toward the adapter body 12 (FIG. 5),the exterior surface of slide member 12 may be sized so that it does notprotrude beyond the adjacent surface of adapter body end 14 or retainerring 30. When the button portion 21 is released and spring 22 urges itaway from the adapter body, a recessed relief or clearance arc 26 iscreated opposite the button portion 21 on the exterior of the slidemember 20, between adapter body end 14 or retainer ring 30 (FIGS. 3, 4and 7). This allows for the user's fingers to squeeze directly normal toand across the axis 70 of the tool 40 and not limit the downwardmovement of the adapter 10. It also is sized to be flush with thediameter of the adapter 10 once the button is pressed so it doesn'tprotrude outside the envelope of the tool 40. This avoids confusion overwhich side is the operating button portion 21.

The adapter 10 provides an easily operable device through which allother components may connect to a common tool body. The adapter 10allows for proper rotational alignment of the component and torquetransmission between the component and the tool body.

The overall construction of the snap adapter 10 is modular as shown inFIGS. 8-10. The design allows for the end user to convert any standardtools that were originally designed to work with a component 50 into aquick disconnect tool in accordance with the present invention.

The snap adapter 10 and method of operation of the present inventionprovides a one-piece snap button 20 with integrated pin 25 for strength,durability, and reliability; a ramped, non-rotating pin 25 for easycomponent 50 installation with no need for button 20 actuation toinstall component 50; and an ergonomic “push” operation to remove thecomponent 50. Additionally, it is modular to allow conversion of toolsfrom standard to quick disconnect operation.

Accordingly, the present invention may include one or more of thefollowing features and advantages:

The snap adapter assembly of the present invention includes one enddesigned for attachment to a wire stripping tool body, and the other enddesigned for the quick attachment and release of a component containinga blade for stripping or cutting a wire of a desired diameter.

The snap adapter assembly of the present invention provides a method ofcomponent interchangeability that eliminates the need to use outsidetools to secure the component.

The snap adapter assembly of the present invention enables the use of agloved hand of the user to execute proper component transposition.

While the present invention has been particularly described, inconjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident thatmany alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It istherefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any suchalternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

Thus, having described the invention, what is claimed is:
 1. A methodfor securing a component to a tool body, the method comprising:providing a tool body; providing a tool component; providing an adapterwith a hollow body having a longitudinal axis, the hollow body havingopposite ends, one end being sized for receiving the tool component, theother end being sized for insertion into the tool body, a slide memberbetween a forward end and an opposite rearward end of the hollow body,the slide member having a button portion for receiving manual force todepress the slide member, a spring surface for receiving a spring, atleast one bearing flat for transmitting torque between the slide memberand the hollow body of the adapter, and a pin for securing the toolcomponent into the adapter, the spring between the spring surface andthe adapter forward end, the spring transmitting sufficient force tomove the pin into engagement with the tool component after removal ofthe manual force; inserting the adapter into the tool body; insertingthe tool component into the adapter; and aligning the tool componentinside the hollow body of the adapter until the pin of the slide memberinserts into an indentation on a surface of the tool component, securingtogether the tool component and adapter.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the slide member encases the hollow body of the adapter.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein removal of the tool component from the adapterincludes exerting a manual force on the button portion of the slidemember, retracting the pin from the indentation on the tool component,and pulling the tool component away from the adapter hollow body forwardend to disconnect the tool component from the adapter.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 further providing the component having a bore for receiving acable end and a blade within the bore for stripping or cutting an outerjacket of the cable.
 5. A method for using a component secured to a toolbody to strip or cut a cable, the method comprising: providing a cablehaving an outer jacket encasing an inner core; providing a tool bodyhaving a forward end and an opposite rearward end, one of the forwardend and opposite rearward end being sized for insertion of an adapter;providing a tool component comprising a blade; providing an adapter witha hollow body having a longitudinal axis, the hollow body havingopposite ends, one end being sized for receiving the tool component, theother end being sized for insertion into the tool body, a slide memberbetween a forward end and an opposite rearward end of the hollow body,the slide member having a button portion for receiving manual force todepress the slide member, a spring surface for receiving a spring, atleast one bearing flat for transmitting torque between the slide memberand the hollow body of the adapter, and a pin for securing the toolcomponent into the adapter, the spring between the spring surface andthe adapter forward end, the spring transmitting sufficient force tomove the pin into engagement with the tool component after removal ofthe manual force; inserting the adapter into the tool body; insertingthe tool component into the adapter; aligning the tool component insidethe hollow body of the adapter until the pin of the slide member insertsinto an indentation on a surface of the tool component, securingtogether the tool component and the adapter; inserting the cable intothe tool component; and rotating the tool body so the blade of the toolcomponent strips or cuts the cable.
 6. The method of claim 5 furtherincluding another end of the forward end and the opposite rearward endof the tool body comprising a projection, inserting the tool bodyprojection into a drill, and using the drill to create the rotationalforce needed to spin the component and strip the cable outer jacket fromthe cable to expose the inner core.
 7. The method of claim 5 furtherincluding removing the tool component from the adapter by exerting amanual force on the button portion of the slide member, retracting thepin from the indentation on the tool component, and pulling the toolcomponent away from the adapter hollow body forward end to disconnectthe tool component from the adapter.
 8. The method of claim 5 whereinthe tool component has a bore for receiving a cable end, the blade beingdisposed within the bore, and including inserting the cable into thetool component bore.